New skate store a boon for area's 'overlooked' youngsters

THE owner of a recently-opened skate store in Highcliffe wants to make the area a better place for young people.

Warwick Nicholls, 21, who part-owns BraveBoards with his younger brother Woody, decided to put his years of skating experience to good effect and open the town’s very first skate shop.

Situated on the Highcliffe Corner of Lymington Road, the store now offers lessons for beginners and has already hosted a number of children's parties. There is also the opportunity to hire the half-pipe ramp, with food, drink and equipment all available to purchase in store.

According to the 2015 Mid-Year Estimates compiled by the Office for National Statistics, nearly 60 per cent of Highcliffe’s population is aged 65 and above, though Warwick believes that is one of the main reasons for establishing his business venture in the area.

He said: "There are lots of kids in Highcliffe, and there is a big skating community that we felt had been overlooked.

"Me and my little brother wanted to make Highcliffe a better place for young, like-minded people.

"We’ve had a great response from the parents of the kids who have been in and used our facilities. They’re firmly on board."

The store opened its doors at the end of November, but Warwick is already eyeing a future move to a bigger site.

He added: "Once we have become more self-sustaining, we will look to buy a bigger property, with bigger ramps, as frequently there is not a lot of room in our current site.

"Things have really been picking up recently.

"We’re trying to survive before we thrive, but it’s very much onwards and upwards."

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